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Claremont , CA
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is a highly regarded liberal arts college located in Claremont, California. Established in 1946, the college is known for its rigorous academic programs that blend the traditional liberal arts with a strong emphasis on economics, government, and public affairs. CMC offers more than 30 majors and boasts a faculty-to-student ratio of 9:1, allowing for personalized attention and mentorship.
At CMC, students are encouraged to explore various disciplines and engage in interdisciplinary studies, preparing them for success in a wide range of careers. The college is renowned for its Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, which offers a comprehensive program that equips students with a deep understanding of economic principles and their practical applications. In addition to its strong academic focus, CMC is committed to fostering leadership skills and civic engagement. The college provides ample opportunities for students to participate in internships, research, and community service, helping them develop a well-rounded skill set and a sense of social responsibility.
CMC is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, which consists of five undergraduate colleges and two graduate schools. This unique partnership enables students to access a wealth of resources and cross-register for classes at the other member institutions, enriching their educational experience. Additionally, CMC offers a vibrant campus life with a variety of student-led organizations and social activities, creating a close-knit community where students can thrive both academically and socially. Overall, Claremont McKenna College provides a stimulating and supportive environment for students to pursue their academic and personal goals while developing skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont McKenna College is a private comprehensive higher education institution. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 9%. The freshman retention rate at Claremont McKenna College is 98.13% and the six-year graduation rate is 91%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 10. The transfer application deadline is March 15.
Learn more about what Claremont McKenna College has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
1,390
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,700
Tuition
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
91%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Read on to find out some vital information about admission policy and requirements at Claremont McKenna College.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 626 in 2025. Claremont McKenna College has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. This eminent school with a rich history offers an unmatched learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
26% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 13% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 98.95% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 1.15% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 97.78 and 2.22 between 24-29.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 740 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 770.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 10. If you are thinking about applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Claremont McKenna College was 98.13%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 91%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the optimal place for you is not simple. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Claremont McKenna College in 2025 was 1,393.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 52% for that year. There was a total of 1,390 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 206 international students. The school admitted a total of 13 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 694 male and 692 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 237 Asian students and 57 Afro-American students in 2025. 206 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 121 as multirace. There were also 64 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $71,700 in 2025. Claremont McKenna College is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $420.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Claremont McKenna College.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Claremont McKenna College was $22,190 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 came to $11,920 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 71,700 |
| Room and Board | $ 22,190 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 95,090 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for most students. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Claremont McKenna College, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 114 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $65,837 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 562 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Claremont McKenna College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 566. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $1,634,207, and state $1,339,453. The students of Claremont McKenna College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $29,723,653, and external in the amount of $1,044,202.
$20,103
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 283 students overall (including freshmen) at Claremont McKenna College in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 58 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $1,970,063. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $820,015 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Claremont McKenna College was 8:1: that means 8 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 207 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 128 male and 78 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about social life at Claremont McKenna College.
Its campus is 69 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 60. For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. Interested in media and communication? Claremont McKenna College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Claremont McKenna College has a number of services crucial for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Claremont McKenna College.
All in all, campus life at Claremont McKenna College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Claremont McKenna College.
Career Counselling
At Claremont McKenna College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 82,720 USD.
$82,720
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA.
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Claremont McKenna College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Claremont McKenna College is 71,700 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Claremont McKenna College is 9%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Claremont McKenna College is 98.13%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.